2024 IESO Suggested Additional Activities
Puerto Rico is home to three of the world’s five bioluminescent bodies of water. For an unforgettable nighttime experience, head out to Laguna Grande on an evening kayaking trip to experience this magical and unforgettable phenomenon. The website here has links to a few tour operators, though there are others as well. Note that we recommend you do this on either December 27 (if you arrive early enough) or on December 28 (if you’re not competing in the Zoology Bee) or on December 29 (if you’re not competing in the Caribbean Environmental Geography Bee). On December 30 and 31, we’ll have mandatory events for Competing Students that will preclude an early evening departure. The lagoon itself (aka Bioluminescent Bay) is very shallow and the water is completely calm, so even if you are not an experienced kayaker, as long as you are able to swim, the experience is completely safe.
Puerto Rico is home to numerous caves that are fun to explore in a unique environment featuring karst topography. The website here has further details for families looking for an adventurous addition to their time at IESO.
Puerto Rico has many great destinations for snorkeling around the island. This website has further details, but there are other operators and tours as well, including this one in San Juan.
The T-Mobile Entertainment District (Distrito T-Mobile) has numerous restaurants in close proximity, together with spaces for music, performances, socializing, and dancing. On New Year’s Eve, it will be the site of a major party (see link from last year) but it’s a great place to get dinner with other families throughout the week.
Puerto Rico is one of the best places in the world to go Ziplining! This page has a guide to the various opportunities around the island, but in particular, we recommend, if you are up for it, The Monster! It’s the longest Zipline in the Americas, and the second-longest in the world, with those brave enough to try it, reaching speeds of up to 95 miles per hour over a 1.5 mile long course!